UPSC Prelims 2012 — solved PYQs

Question 1

The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs: (A) The water vapour of the air and retains its heat (B) The ultraviolet part of the solar radiation (C) All the solar radiations (D) The infrared part of solar radiation

Accepted Answer

(D) The infrared part of solar radiation — Correct. CO₂ absorbs infrared (long-wave) radiation emitted by the Earth's surface and re-radiates it, trapping heat in the atmosphere — the greenhouse effect.

Question 2

In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha?
1. Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas.
2. Gram Sabha has the ownership of minor forest produce.
3. Recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting prospecting licence or mining lease for any mineral in the Scheduled Areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 only (B) 1 and 2 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(B) 1 and 2 only — Correct. PESA empowers the Gram Sabha to safeguard against land alienation in Scheduled Areas and confers ownership of minor forest produce on the Gram Sabha. The more expansive mining-lease formulation in Statement 3 is not accepted in the answer key.

Question 3

During the Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation? (A) Different social reform groups or organisations of Bengal region united to form a single body to discuss the issues of larger interest and to prepare appropriate petitions/representations to the government (B) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose (C) Behramji Malabari and M. G. Ranade decided to bring together all the social reform groups of the country under one organisation (D) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context

Accepted Answer

(B) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose — Correct. The Indian National Congress deliberately kept social reform questions out of its political deliberations to maintain unity among diverse groups. M.G. Ranade and others therefore established the National Social Conference as a separate platform to discuss social reform issues, meeting alongside Congress sessions.

Question 4

A particular State in India has the following characteristics: [2012]
1. It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan.
2. It has over 80% of its area under forest cover.
3. Over 12% of forest cover constitutes Protected Area Network in this State.
Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics? (A) Arunachal Pradesh (B) Assam (C) Himachal Pradesh (D) Uttarakhand

Accepted Answer

(A) Arunachal Pradesh — Correct. Arunachal Pradesh lies at approximately 27-29 degrees N latitude (same as northern Rajasthan), has over 80% forest cover, and a significant portion of its forests constitute its Protected Area Network.

Question 5

Which of the following can be said to be essentially the parts of Inclusive Governance?
1. Permitting the Non-Banking Financial Companies to do banking
2. Establishing effective District Planning Committees in all the districts
3. Increasing the government spending on public health
4. Strengthening the Mid-day Meal Scheme
Choose the correct answer: (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 3 and 4 only (C) 2, 3 and 4 only (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Accepted Answer

(C) 2, 3 and 4 only — Correct. Inclusive governance emphasizes participatory planning (District Planning Committees), broad-based social provisioning (public health spending), and targeted welfare (Mid-day Meal Scheme). Permitting NBFCs to do banking is a financial-sector regulatory issue, not a governance inclusion measure.

Question 6

The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of: (A) Bhakti (B) Image worship and Yajnas (C) Worship of nature and Yajnas (D) Worship of nature and Bhakti

Accepted Answer

(C) Worship of nature and Yajnas — Correct. Early Vedic religion centred on the worship of natural forces personified as deities — Indra (thunder/rain), Agni (fire), Varuna (cosmic order), Surya (sun) — and elaborate sacrificial rituals (yajnas) to propitiate them.

Question 7

When a foreign company sets up a wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary in India, that inflow is generally treated as: (A) Foreign Direct Investment (B) Workers' remittance (C) Official reserve transaction (D) Merchandise export

Accepted Answer

(A) Foreign Direct Investment — Correct. Establishing a subsidiary reflects direct investment involving ownership and control interest.

Question 8

With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct? [2012]
1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdom period.
2. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music.
3. Dhrupad alap uses Sanskrit syllables from mantras.
Select the correct answer using the codes below: (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1, 2 and 3 only (D) None is correct

Accepted Answer

(B) 2 and 3 only — Correct. Dhrupad is strongly associated with devotional and meditative music, and its alap uses syllables (nom-tom syllables) derived from sacred Sanskrit sounds and mantras.

Question 9

The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) relies significantly on: (A) Building institutions of the rural poor such as self-help groups and federations (B) Replacing all banks with cooperatives (C) Closing wage employment programmes (D) Providing subsidies only to urban enterprises

Accepted Answer

(A) Building institutions of the rural poor such as self-help groups and federations — Correct. NRLM places strong emphasis on mobilizing the rural poor into SHGs and federated institutions.

Question 10

In the Parliament of India, the purpose of an adjournment motion is: (A) To allow a discussion on a definite matter of urgent public importance (B) To let opposition collect information from ministers (C) To allow a reduction of specific amount in demand for grant (D) To postpone the proceedings to check inappropriate or violent behaviour on the part of some members

Accepted Answer

(A) To allow a discussion on a definite matter of urgent public importance — Correct. An adjournment motion is an extraordinary device available in the Lok Sabha to draw attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance. It requires the support of at least 50 members and, if admitted, interrupts normal business to discuss the matter.

Question 11

With reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements:
1. The orders of the Delimitation Commission cannot be challenged in a Court of Law.
2. When the orders of the Delimitation Commission are laid before the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly, they cannot effect any modifications in the orders.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 only (B) 2 only (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) Neither 1 nor 2

Accepted Answer

(C) Both 1 and 2 — Correct. Delimitation Commission orders are treated as final and are not ordinarily challengeable in court. Once laid before the legislature, no modifications can be made by the House.

Question 12

Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species? (A) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass (B) Kashmir Stag, Cheetah, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard (C) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Sarus Crane (D) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal

Accepted Answer

(A) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass — Correct. Great Indian Bustard (Critically Endangered), Musk Deer (Endangered), Red Panda (Endangered) and Asiatic Wild Ass (Near Threatened but protected under Schedule I) are all threatened species.

Question 13

Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on education?
1. Directive Principles of State Policy
2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies
3. Fifth Schedule
4. Sixth Schedule
5. Seventh Schedule
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 3, 4 and 5 only (C) 1, 2 and 5 only (D) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 — Correct. Education is shaped by Directive Principles, local body responsibilities under the 73rd and 74th Amendments, the Fifth and Sixth Schedule provisions for special tribal area administration, and the Seventh Schedule which places education in the Concurrent List.

Question 14

The basic aim of the Lead Bank Scheme is that: (A) A big bank should have branches in every district (B) There should be stiff competition among nationalized banks (C) An individual bank should take lead responsibility for coordinated district-level development (D) All banks should mobilize only household deposits intensively

Accepted Answer

(C) An individual bank should take lead responsibility for coordinated district-level development — Correct. Under the Lead Bank Scheme, a designated bank coordinates credit planning and banking development in a district.

Question 15

Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because (A) Round Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations (B) Congress and Muslim League had differences of opinion (C) Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award (D) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context

Accepted Answer

(C) Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award — Correct. Gandhi opposed the Communal Award announced by Ramsay MacDonald, which provided separate electorates for the Depressed Classes. He undertook a fast unto death that eventually led to the Poona Pact.

Question 16

The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because:
1. The Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence
2. The rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that session
3. A resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that session
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 only (B) 2 and 3 (C) 1 and 3 (D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

(A) 1 only — Correct. The Lahore session's defining significance was the formal adoption of Purna Swaraj (complete independence) as the Congress goal. The extremist-moderate split had been addressed much earlier, and no specific two-nation theory resolution was passed here.

Question 17

Which of the following are included in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?
1. A dispute between the Government of India and one or more States
2. A dispute regarding elections to either House of Parliament or that of Legislature of a State
3. A dispute between the Government of India and a Union Territory
4. A dispute between two or more States
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (A) 1 and 2 (B) 2 and 3 (C) 1 and 4 (D) 3 and 4

Accepted Answer

(C) 1 and 4 — Correct. Article 131 includes disputes between the Union and States and disputes between two or more States within the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction. Election disputes and Union Territory disputes are not covered under this provision.

Question 18

Which one of the following actions by the central bank directly increases money supply in the economy? (A) Selling government securities to the public (B) Purchasing government securities from the public (C) Raising the cash reserve ratio (D) Increasing the statutory liquidity ratio

Accepted Answer

(B) Purchasing government securities from the public — Correct. When the central bank buys securities, it injects liquidity into the system and expands money supply.

Question 19

A deadlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha calls for a joint sitting of the Parliament during the passage of:
1. Ordinary Legislation
2. Money Bill
3. Constitution Amendment Bill
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (A) 1 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(A) 1 only — Correct. Article 108 provides for a joint sitting only in the case of ordinary bills when there is a deadlock between the two Houses. Money Bills and Constitution Amendment Bills follow their own separate procedures.

Question 20

According to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the President of India to cause to be laid before the Parliament which of the following?
1. The Recommendations of the Union Finance Commission
2. The Report of the Public Accounts Committee
3. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
4. The Report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (A) 1 only (B) 2 and 4 only (C) 1, 3 and 4 only (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Accepted Answer

(C) 1, 3 and 4 only — Correct. The President is constitutionally required to lay before Parliament: Finance Commission recommendations (Article 281), CAG reports (Article 151), and National Commission for Scheduled Castes reports (Article 338). The PAC report is a parliamentary committee report, not laid by the President.

Question 21

The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India?
1. Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to Life under Article 21
2. Provision of grants for raising the level of administration in the Scheduled Areas for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes under Article 275(1)
3. Powers and functions of Gram Sabha as mentioned under Article 243A
Select the correct answer: (A) 1 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(A) 1 only — Correct. The National Green Tribunal Act derives its constitutional foundation from environmental jurisprudence that recognizes the right to a healthy environment as an integral part of the Right to Life under Article 21. The Supreme Court has consistently interpreted Article 21 to include environmental protection.

Question 22

Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes: (A) Buddha's calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation (B) Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara (C) Buddha's reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory (D) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context

Accepted Answer

(B) Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara — Correct. The Bhumisparsha Mudra (earth-touching gesture) refers to the moment of enlightenment when the Buddha touched the earth to call it as witness to his long accumulation of merit and purity in the face of Mara's temptations.

Question 23

ASHA workers under the National Health Mission are expected mainly to: (A) Act as community-level health facilitators and mobilizers (B) Perform major surgeries in villages (C) Fix retail prices of essential drugs (D) Issue formal medical degrees

Accepted Answer

(A) Act as community-level health facilitators and mobilizers — Correct. ASHA workers serve as community-level link workers for awareness, referral and basic health support.

Question 24

Which of the following is the chief characteristic of 'mixed farming'? (A) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops (B) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field (C) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together (D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

(C) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together — Correct. Mixed farming is defined by the combination of crop cultivation with livestock rearing on the same farm, where both activities contribute significantly to farm income.

Question 25

Which of the following sectors is NOT included in the eight core industries index of India? (A) Coal (B) Steel (C) Textiles (D) Cement

Accepted Answer

(C) Textiles — Correct. Textiles is NOT one of the eight core industries. The eight core industries are: Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement, and Electricity. Together they have a combined weight of about 40.27% in the IIP.

UPSC Prelims 2012 — solved PYQs

2012 PYQs by subject

Solved questions

Other years

Practise the full 2012 paper

UPSC Prelims 2012 — solved PYQs

2012 PYQs by subject

Solved questions

Other years

Practise the full 2012 paper